Picture frame with wireless charging device

ABSTRACT

A stand for use with a charging device, such as, but not limited to, a Qi Wireless Charger. The stand is in the form of a picture frame, and elevates the charging unit up off a desk or tabletop, at an angle where a device being charged can be placed thereupon. A portion of the back of the frame is removably secured, and provides a space for securely holding the wireless charging device therein. The charging device power cord is routed through a picture frame support extending from the back of the frame.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/517,349, filed Jul. 19, 2019, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/700,364, filed Jul. 19, 2019, by AndrewGreen, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties byspecific references for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a picture frame for use with a rechargingdevice, including but not limited to the Qi Wireless Charger.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises astand for a picture stand for use with a charging device, such as, butnot limited to, a Qi Wireless Charger. The frame elevates the chargingunit up off a desk or tabletop, at an angle where a device being chargedcan be placed thereupon (i.e., on the glass covering the picture in thefront of the frame).

In several embodiments, the invention comprises a picture frame with afront and back, with a portion of the back being removably secured, anda glass or transparent cover for a picture inserted into the frame. Theremovable section of the back comprises a space for securely holding thewireless charging device therein, with a hole, channel, opening or slotin the bottom for routing of the charging device cord (e.g., USB cord orpower cord).

In several embodiments, a frame support may extend from the back forholding the picture frame in an upright position. The power cord maypass through the frame support (i.e., the stand is hollow in whole or inpart) or through a slot, channel, opening, or hole that extends for someor all of the length of the frame support.

In additional embodiments, a plurality of slots, holes or vents may beprovided in the back near the charging device, thereby promoting coolingventilation to the charging device. The bottom side of the frame (andframe support) may comprise a rubber, plastic, silicone or similarcovering in whole or in part, or feet made of the same material ormaterials.

The holding space comprises a shape configured to securely hold thecorresponding charging device when inserted in the holder (but allowsthe charger to be easily removed for travel). In some embodiments, forexample, the holder is oval in form to match the shape of a Qi WirelessCharger. The holder may be open in both front and back, or may bepartially or completely enclosed in back. A rubber (or similar material)band or coating may extending wholly or partially around the interior ofthe holder opening to securely hold the charging device in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a frame with a charging device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-6 shows views of the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a charging device.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the frame of the present invention with amobile device being charged.

FIG. 9 shows a view of a back of a frame of the present invention withventilation holes and a status light.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary interior view of a back of a frame with acharging device holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In one exemplary embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1-9, the present inventioncomprises a stand for use with a charging device 2, such as, but notlimited to, a Qi Wireless Charger. The stand elevates the charging unitup off a desk or table top, at an angle where a device being charged 6can be placed thereupon (i.e, on the glass covering the picture in thefront of the frame).

In the embodiment shown, the invention comprises a picture frame 2 witha front and back, with a portion of the back 20 being removably secured,and with a portion of the front comprising a glass or transparent cover12 for a picture inserted into the frame. The removable section of theback 20 comprises a space for securely holding the wireless chargingdevice therein, with a hole, channel, opening or slot 62 in the bottomfor routing of the charging device cord 30 (e.g., USB cord or powercord).

The picture frame 10 may be made of any material known in the art formaking picture frames, including, but not limited to, wood, metal,paper, stone, or the like. The frame may be constructed so the glass ortransparent cover 12 is relatively flush with the front of the frame, orrecessed therefrom. The frame may be of any size suitable to hold aphotograph or pictures, such as, but not limited to, a 5″×7″ photo. Theback may be secured by various means known in the art for pictureframes, such as rotatable support tabs 24.

In several embodiments, a frame support 30 may extend from the back forholding the picture frame 10 in an upright position. The power cord 4may pass through the frame support 30 (i.e., the stand may be hollow inwhole or in part) or through a slot, channel, opening or hole 60 thatextends for some or all of the length of the frame support. The bottomside of the frame (and frame support) may comprise a rubber, plastic,silicone or similar covering in whole or in part, or feet made of thesame material or materials.

In additional embodiments, a plurality of slots, holes or vents 22 maybe provided in the back near the charging device, thereby promoting orproviding cooling ventilation to the charging device. A status light orindicator 26 (such as an LED light) on the back or front of the framemay be provided to alert the user when the device is charged, finishedcharging, or is unable to charge for some reason (such as a foreignobject being detected). The status light or indicator may change color,or may blink or be static to indicate various states.

In some embodiments, the charging device is embedded in the back of thepicture frame. In other embodiments, the charging device may beremovably secured in a holding space or area 40. The holding space maycomprise a shape configured to securely hold the corresponding chargingdevice when inserted in the holder (but allows the charger to be easilyremoved for travel). In some embodiments, for example, the holder isoval in form to match the shape of a Qi Wireless Charger, as seen inFIG. 7. The holder may be open in its front and/or back, or may bepartially or completely enclosed in back. A rubber (or similar material)band, liner, or coating may extend wholly or partially around theinterior of the holder opening to securely hold the charging device inplace.

In some embodiments, a small lip or holder may extend from the front ofthe bottom of the frame to provide a resting point or holder for thebottom of the device being charged, when leaned against the front of thepicture. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the device being charged 6may rest on the top edge of the bottom part of the frame itself.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examplesdescribed herein have been chosen and described in order to bestillustrate the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to bestutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Eventhough specific embodiments of this invention have been described, theyare not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations thatwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holding stand for a recharging device,comprising: a picture frame with a front side and back side, the backside being coextensive in area with the front side and being removablein whole or in part; and a charging device disposed in the picture framebetween the front side and back side.
 2. The holding stand of claim 1,further comprising: a transparent picture cover configured to fit withinthe front side of the picture frame.
 3. The holding stand of claim 2,wherein the picture frame is rectilinear in form, with a top element,bottom element, and two side elements, and the transparent picture coveris recessed from the front of the picture frame.
 4. The holding stand ofclaim 3, wherein the front of the picture frame is configured to hold adevice being charged on the bottom element while leaning against thetransparent picture cover.
 5. The holding stand of claim 1, the backside further comprising one or more ventilation holes or openings. 6.The holding stand of claim 1, the back side further comprising acharging status indicator.
 7. The holding stand of claim 6, wherein thecharging status indicator is a light.
 8. The holding stand of claim 1,further comprising a picture frame support.
 9. The holding stand ofclaim 8, wherein the picture frame support comprises a channel oropening configured to receive a power supply cord for the chargingdevice.